“THE PIED PIPER.” Chico Freeman. Black Hawk...

“THE PIED PIPER.” Chico Freeman. Black Hawk 50801. Freeman and John Purcell between them play a dozen horns. Among them is the sopranino sax (misspelled “supranino” in the notes, and played out of tune by Freeman on “Monk 2000”). There are some great moments in this uneven quintet set: the 7/4 beat of the title tune, Freeman’s attractive soprano sax on “Amor Sona Dor” and some extended jamming by Kenny Kirkland on piano and others on “Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise.” Alex North’s “The Rose Tattoo” becomes melancholy to the edge of gloom. Still, overall, 3 1/2.